Jennifer Lopez Receives GLADD Vanguard Award

That’s what Ross Mathews said at the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards that took place yesterday, April 12, in Los Angeles.

Looking flawless as usual, Jennifer Lopez attended the awards ceremony with her boyfriend Casper Smart, and the two were the talk of the event. Lopez sported a body hugging sparkly blue dress, while Smart went with a more corporate look, wearing a plain blue suit and polka dot tie.

The American Idol judge was in attendance to accept GLAAD’s Vanguard Award, which was given to her for supporting the LGBT community since the start of her career.

After receiving the award, Lopez thanked the LGBT community for their years of support and she also spoke about her late aunt Marisa, who was gay and inspired Lopez to be an artist.

The singer and actress spoke about her aunt living an artistic lifestyle, and always felt bad that she had to keep her struggles to herself.

“I’ve always felt a tremendous love from the LGBT community and the LGBT community has always supported me and returned the love,” said the 44-year-old.

“Marisa was my cool aunt. She was my mom’s older sister and she lived in New York City. I lived the in the Bronx and she lived in Manhattan, it was like worlds away. She wanted to be an actress and I always wanted to be like her. Marisa grew up gay in a time when it meant life could be very difficult and that her struggles were mostly kept to herself.”

In a 2010 interview Lopez said she consciously makes songs for the LGBT community, particularly the gay community, and the club scene.

“I love dance music and I know that’s very big in the club culture and in the gay community, so I feel like you can’t not think about them. I also think about whether or not they’ll want to impersonate me. I’ll be like, ‘Is this outfit any good? Would any drag queen want to put this on? No? Then forget it–it’s not worth it.'”